Thirsk:FILM

Yorkshire's oldest cinema presents its first film festival

The volunteer run Ritz Cinema in Thirsk, which first opened as a Cinema in 1912, is hosting its first ever film festival, Thirsk:FILM. Thirsk:FILM will showcase the best of Yorkshire on Film. Thirteen films will be screened over four days, including a special rare screening of the James Herriot Story "It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet" starring Anthony Hopkins and John Alderton.

During the festival members of the public will be able to attend the North Yorkshire premiere and public preview of the award-winning film ‘God's Own Country', prior to its national release on 1st September. God's Own Country was directed by young Yorkshire director, Francis Lee and was filmed in Yorkshire.

The team organising the festival said, "Yorkshire has some truly great moments in the history of UK cinema, we are allowing people the opportunity to see these films perhaps for the very first time."

Sir Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: "The Thirsk Film Festival is a fantastic celebration of Yorkshire and a brilliant opportunity to see our glorious county on the big screen. From the uplifting story of the Calendar Girls, filmed at various locations in North Yorkshire, to the hilarious comedy of Brassed Off filmed near Barnsley, Yorkshire's diverse landscapes present the perfect backdrop for award-winning film drama ". He continued, "The festival is hosted at the Ritz in Thirsk, one of the country's oldest cinemas, and run by volunteers so it benefits the local community – and this event is something we're very proud to support."